I changed out the gravel substrate for a sand/flourite blend in my tiny little 6 gal. I put all the existing gravel into a nylon net and left it in the tank. I'm not sure how long I need to leave the "gravel in the nylon" in the tank.

Not sure why the Ph swing as I performed the water change in the same way that I always do. Maybe it's due to the new substrate?

Anyway, I want to use this little tank as a rooting tank for the clippings from the plants that I take from my larger tank. The 5" pleco that is currently in this tank is going to a much larger tank. I'll need to stock the tank with something else to keep the cycle going. I wanted a betta but the current from the filter is way too much for a betta and no way to adjust.

Due to all the plants I'll need some good algae clean up on a consistent basis. Could I do a few otos or SAEs??
Any other ideas??

Thanks! kym

Tyyrlym

09-28-2008 12:21 PM

What kind of filter is on it? You might be able to modify it to reduce the flow.

aunt kymmie

09-28-2008 12:25 PM

It's an Eclipse 6 gal with a bio wheel filter. I've looked everywhere on the filter for an adjustment lever or switch and there is nothing on it anywhere...not the top, bottom or sides. I know the new ones have one but this tank is a few years old. It's a drag as I really wanted a betta in there.

Charlie

09-28-2008 02:16 PM

Hi, I had a similar problem with a 2.5g tank for my betta. What I did was take a (clean) piece of plastic cut from something like a soda bottle, any sort of cup, etc. I snipped about 1/4 of the cup away like I cut out a pie piece. Then I fixed it around the filter output, and secured it with some wire. The end result is that the water coming out of the filter lands on the cup, absorbing the impact.

I made mine out of the small cups the bettas are kept in at the petstore, although you can work out an alternate design for pretty much any sort of cup.

Tyyrlym

09-28-2008 02:32 PM

Interesting idea, I like it. Especially since it doesn't require restricting the intake or output. My suggestion was going to be wrapping the intake in a piece of foam.

iamntbatman

09-28-2008 06:16 PM

If you're still looking for ideas: I have a 5.5g tank with six pygmy cories, two pairs of Endler's livebearers, and an amano shrimp. The Endler's will eventually start to get a little out of control, but I plan on moving extra fry from there into my guppy factory to make pretty little Endler's/guppy hybrids. My Jack Dempsey loves to eat pretty fish!

aunt kymmie

09-28-2008 11:56 PM

Hummm...if I were to adjust the filter (as Charlie did) would I be able to keep six pygmy cories with a single betta?

iamntbatman

09-29-2008 12:07 AM

Probably. You could probably up the pygmy cory count to eight, even. They're tiiiiiiiiny little guys.